AYO Prose: My Bilateral Love

I fell in love with a Kikuyu man and a Luo man. In fact, the Kikuyu man is my man. My boyfriend. The Luo man was my boyfriend’s best friend. Yes, they stopped being friends because my boyfriend found out about us. (He thinks he did, but I made him believe otherwise.)

Now. My Luo man. Mmmh. He spoilt me. And no, not with money. With attention. With so much attention and care, I bet no one can beat that. He once washed my clothes as he was washing his. My Luo man would wait for us to have breakfast together because he loved my company.

My Luo man was also very proud of me although I wasn’t rightfully “his.” He told everyone he met about me. Even his mother—well, sort of. And he wanted me to go with him to his aunt so he’d still show me off. And he very eagerly maintained this machine. Drove it with force and direction, oiled it until it had no squeaks; he’d start this machine with just one shove of the jack-spanner. This, my Luo man.

Then, my Kikuyu man. This man can cook. He cooks so well and he knows that the way to my heart is through my stomach. My Kikuyu man would cook anything and it would be absolutely delicious.

He is very playful, too. He knows how much of a big kid I am and knows very well what games I like. We would play: tickling, tripping each other, running in the rain, mmmh. One time, he tickled me so much, I almost peed on myself.

This Kikuyu man knows how to operate this machine. How to get it going, stroking gently, then tightening his strokes then banging and grabbing the parts, heck almost dismantling the machine all together then rebuilding it back. Mmmh. This man once waited for me to finish what I was doing—which took hours—so that he could see me for ten minutes.

So. My two men. Whom I both love. Are also very similar and very different. When around each of them, my heart beats so fast and so much, I fear they will see it through my clothes. Both my men care deeply for me. If I was to call either and say I was sick, they’d quickly transform into doctors.

But. Their political opinions have been worrying me. Each of their opinions grow stronger every day; in direct opposition to each other. No. It was never about tribe. At least, not with my men. But now, it is headed there.

Now, my Luo man is angry and sad over the deaths of so many of his people. My Kikuyu man is glad that life is returning to normalcy.

I think I’ll get pregnant so that the baby will have both Luo-lity and Kikuyu-ness then my men can both calm down.

TAGS

Chenyenyozi Joy is a liberal-minded, fourth year student at the University of Nairobi, pursuing a B.A. in literature and political science. She enjoys showcasing her literary skills in her writing, focusing on emerging issues in modern African society.
She can be found on Facebook at Chenyenyozi Joy.